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Security stepped up for naxalite's death anniversary

Krishnagiri: Security has been stepped up in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts in view of the ensuing death anniversary of a naxalite leader on November 24.

Shiva, alias Parthiban, was shot dead in an encounter by the police at Chinnakanakampatti village near Uthangkarai in Krishnagiri district on November 24, 2002.

A senior police official pointed out that border villages in these two districts had been brought under tight surveillance. Policemen armed with automatic weapons have been deployed at 12 check posts from Chinnakanakampatti to Hosur to prevent the infiltration of naxalites.

Vehicles entering from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were subjected to intense checking at these check posts. In addition mobile patrolling had also been increased on the highways. Police personnel from the District Anti-naxal Wing and Q Branch are maintaining a tight watch on border villages in these two districts. The District police have deployed additional police strength for five police stations abutting the State borders.

Photographs of naxalites who have gone underground have been provided to personnel deployed at these stations. The Special Task Force (STF) personnel numbering over 50 persons have split into two teams and commenced their combing operations in the forests of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri.

Each team led by an Inspector are involved in combing operations from Varamalagunda to Veppanapalli and Anchetti to Hogenakkal abutting three State borders.

The Railway Police have also stepped up open line patrolling in all stations in both the districts. Police have erected metal detectors and passengers were being checked. Searches were being carried out at bus stands and lodges round the clock for suspicious persons.